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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 84
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 84 |
As of yesterday 30min delays, pilot car, no long closures, expected to last at least another week.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 4
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 4 |
FYI - the rangers are only issuing one parking pass per group due to the construction. If you have many folks in your group and/or multiple vehicles, this can be a logistical curve ball. There is a list of places you can park, but some are pricey.
We found a dirt lot with a "Whitney Trail Overnight Parking" sign on the road to the Lone Pine Campground. We left 4 cars here for three days and two nights without incident.
Its a great spot - close to the trailhead and free! :o)
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
Thanks Okclimber.
When I was at the Portal last Saturday, two cars showed up; the driver was looking to park his car for an extended JMT hike, returning mid-September. Apparently he read the "No parking without a permit" signs, and was looking for a ranger station to ask what was up.
I was able to tell him about the places in Lone Pine. I certainly should have also given him the Lone Pine Campground info.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 58
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 58 |
I'm wondering if they are going to lift the parking restrictions before the end of the season this year. Going to head up in 3 weeks and do a trip starting at Shepherds Pass, bagging Tyndall, Willi, Trojan, Barnard, Russell, Whitney and Muir. Would like to leave a car at the portal, but if the parking restrictions aren't lifted by then It looks like we'll just park at the Lone Pine Campground and either hitch down or walk the trail back down to the car when we exit via the MR.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
Don't count on the restrictions being lifted. Most projects take longer than planned, and their adding the second layer of asphalt to the pavement seems to be stalled. After that occurs, they still have to add all the line painting and such, so I expect this project will run clear to the end.
Hitching is really easy.
Psyko: Good luck on your ambitious peak bagging trip! I once planned that trip, but we ended up bailing after tagging Tyndall and Willi in the same day, then spending the most miserable, windiest night ever in the Sierra at Lk Helen of Troy. (The wind was only part of the reason for bailing.)
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 58
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 58 |
Don't count on the restrictions being lifted. Most projects take longer than planned, and their adding the second layer of asphalt to the pavement seems to be stalled. After that occurs, they still have to add all the line painting and such, so I expect this project will run clear to the end.
Hitching is really easy.
Psyko: Good luck on your ambitious peak bagging trip! I once planned that trip, but we ended up bailing after tagging Tyndall and Willi in the same day, then spending the most miserable, windiest night ever in the Sierra at Lk Helen of Troy. (The wind was only part of the reason for bailing.) Steve - should be a good trip. Weather tends to be pretty stable around that time of year so hopefully all will go well there. Going to make it a 5 day trip. Up to Shepherds Pass on Day 1 after an early start, Tyndall & Willi day 2, Trojan and Barnard day 3, Russell via east ridge, up Whitney via MR down to Muir on the main trail, then back down the MR and camp at Iceberg Lake on day 4, and hike out on day 5. How was the going up the Russell-Carillon Pass from the north side? I know you were up there at the beginning of the month.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
The construction company has updated their schedule, now their days work from 6 AM to 7:30 PM. Like most projects, they appear to be a bit behind schedule. Doug from the Portal Store reported yesterday: ...the machinery breakdowns and trucks losing brakes, and trucks rolling over? Count now 2 trucks overturned, many paving delays and false starts for paving and roadbed prep work not done in time for paving. Sounds like a truck driver doesn't know the rule about keeping the speed really low when descending, so they don't overheat their brakes. Trucks are way worse than cars, due to their heavy weight.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 22
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 22 |
Heading up to lone pine on saturday and doing some early morning sunrise/moonset on sunday photography over whitney. Are the construction crew working the road on saturdays and sundays now?
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
Pretty sure they are NOT working on weekends.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
This picture posted on Facebook: Andy D wrote: Please be aware that if you use the long term parking area at the Lone Pine Campground (while parking is limited at Whitney Portal) the local rodent population might chew through the hoses and wiring in your vehicle.
I parked in the long term parking area at the Lone Pine Campground from July 24th - August 14th. This is a photo of where they entered the engine of my Toyota 4-Runner through the air filter. They went on to feast on the internal wiring. It cost $750 to fix:(
I have heard of this happening in Mineral King, but never in this location.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3 |
It's safe to say I won't get a parking permit if just exiting via the Whitney Portal, correct?
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
Correct, unfortunately.
But... hitch hiking down from Whitney Portal has always been the easiest place ever to get a ride.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 3 |
Thanks Steve C. We might be getting to the portal in the evening, not the best time for being picked up.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 20
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 20 |
so just to clarify, are there road closures during the weekend? I plan on taking my parents this weekend to the portal and hike up to lone pine lake. Probably arrive before noon time. Just wondering what delays I should expect.
Thanks
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2 |
not sure about weekends, but when I was there last Thursday, the grand total of my delay on the Portal road was about a five minute wait.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
Supposed to be fully open on weekends.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 9
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 9 |
This past weekend I drove on the Portal Road both Sunday in the afternoon and Monday afternoon. Monday was a holiday so it was probably an anomaly, but the road appeared to be functionally completed. There were no workers, pilot cars, or traffic.
Construction equipment is still off the sides of the road in a few places, so I guess they still plan on paving some of the turn-offs and viewpoints as well a paint lines and maybe erect guardrails.
Even on Sunday in the early afternoon, there weren't many people there. I had pick of a few spots in the upper parking area. It seems visitors have more or less died down for the year and I doubt anyone will be stuck in much construction traffic from here on.
The road looks super nice though! I never saw it's previous condition, but as a motorcyclist I appreciated being able to rip a few turns on the brand new asphalt.
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
This on Nov 18, 2016: Official word has arrived: the Portal Pavement Project is COMPLETE!
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,572 |
Wherever you go, there you are. SPOTMe!
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Re: 2016: Whitney Portal parking & Road Construction
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105
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OP
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8,524 Likes: 105 |
Another picture from Instagram, posted by mydentistjasonClick on it for larger.
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